PM, lift defence spending and tell China to butt out

China’s ambassador, Xiao Qian, must think readers of The Australian are mugs after his piece in Monday’s newspaper (“Don’t fall for NATO’s rhetoric on defence spending”, 30/6).

China’s unparalleled increase in militarisation is labelled “normal” absent any mention of creating military bases on South China Sea reefs, trespassing on Philippines waters and live-firing exercises under the air corridor from Australia to New Zealand. The ambassador must be encouraged by the supine response of our government to China’s repeated provocations.

It is time Anthony Albanese and his team got serious about our defence and showed a stiffening of spine and increased defence expenditure.

Michael Neustein, Bondi, NSW

Can you imagine the outcry coming from China if Australia officially criticised its high level of defence expenditure, detracting resources away from social needs, as China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, did in Monday’s newspaper (“China on attack over US push to lift defence expenditure”, 30/6).

We would in no uncertain terms be told to mind our own business.

Yet barely a whisper comes out of Canberra as China undertakes the biggest military build-up since World War II, as it circumnavigates Australia and plays war games in the Tasman Sea as if preparing for an invasion; as it militarises the South China Sea, a major global trade route, and; as it prepares for an invasion of democratic Taiwan.

And in terms of relative living standards, Xiao should be reminded that Australia’s per capita income of $64,000 vastly exceeds China’s, which is $14,000.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

China’s ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, is wrong when he says his country has not initiated a war in the last 70-plus years and is why Australia should do the opposite of his urging and spend far more on defence. During that time China has invaded Tibet and attacked Vietnam, India and Russia, and has initiated armed clashes with Taiwan.

The positive lesson we can learn from those Chinese acts of aggression is they have all been short. Chinese leaders religiously follow ancient Chinese strategist Sun Tzu’s advice; namely, that there is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.

Australia needs to be strong enough to bolster our regional alliances to deter Chinese aggression, by ensuring that China can never be assured a quick win.

Rhys Bosley, Forest Lake, Qld

It’s estimated that China has about 12 times the number of navy ships and about 60 times the number of army personnel when compared to us.

Yet the Chinese ambassador has the hide (or the strange sense of humour) to tell us that Australia should not increase our defence spending. I hope our government and our ambassador to China say in return that we don’t take military advice from a totalitarian communist country.

Unfortunately, Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong don’t seem to be much good when it comes to opposing insincerity and cant.

David Morrison, Springwood, NSW

I wait for Anthony Albanese to tell China publicly that “we will decide how much is spent on Australia’s defence”. China’s brazen warning on our defence spend shows us all we need to know about how far this government has moved Australia away from our traditional allies and alliances and into to the arms of the left’s ideological home.

The Labor government should be castigated by Washington for its slovenly approach to ours and the world’s defence security.

Lynda Morrison, Bicton, WA

In a move that tells us exactly what the future may hold for Australia, the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, imperiously warns the Australian government against increasing our defence budget.

Furthermore, he offers gratuitous advice on how to run our economy by diverting such funds to improve our economy.

When friend or foe attempt to dictate the policies of an independent nation, the people of that nation should take note – and promptly. Australians have a characteristic hand signal for that sort of interference.

Vicki Sanderson, Cremorne, NSW